Chapter 16: The King and Queen of Parli
It was clear to Mitchum that the man Mith and Ludus met on their way to the palace was probably working for Oldo. He was told of the man’s appearance and was certain it was not actually Oldo. Secretly he worried for the kids, and was glad that they ended up at the palace and not in the hands of that maniac. Mitchum was still not entirely certain that Oldo was behind the rose heist, despite telling everyone he saw that he was, and even Turff agreeing. He felt deep down inside himself that it was Oldo, certain that nobody else could have pulled off such an elaborate plan. Though really Mitchum had no idea what the plan really was. He guessed that Oldo was planning on taking all the roses and then storming the palace. But who would he storm the palace with? The inmates of the jail? Mitchum knew better than to think that about fifty criminals, or however many were there, could join forces for any goal, let alone put someone as devious as Oldo as their leader. And who was that man in the woods? Perhaps just some goon, though he was probably more advanced than that, seeing as how he was in charge of finding the palace. Mitchum tried to push these thoughts from his mind for the present time. After all, he was now back to the place that he had spent the best years of his life. He once hoped that he would spend the rest of his years there.
Mitchum led Mith and Ludus down the road leading up to the palace, pointing out various items on the way. On the right side of the road was a large garden, the biggest the kids had ever seen. Several gardeners were busy at work tending to plants and trees of all shapes, colors, and sizes. On the left side of the road was a large field that wrapped around to the back, following the palace wall that encircled it. This field was used for certain special occasions including the annual guard jamboree, a week out of the year when all the guards took part in activities and sports. As they approached the palace, the kids looked up in awe at the immense structure. They had not ever seen any building with such architecture and size. Only the jail on the rock came close and they never went near that. The doors to the palace were golden. Two guards on either side opened the doors as they approached.
The inside was even more spectacular than the outside. A large marble hall opened up to them. The ceiling rose up one hundred feet, with a giant mural painted across it. The magnitude of the picture took the breath right out of Mith, who was a fan of art. Ludus had no breath in him just from seeing the size of the hall.
“What is that supposed to be?” Mith whispered to Mitchum as they crossed the giant entryway. Mith probably did not have to whisper, though she felt it more polite.
“It’s the flight from Memoria.” Mitchum answered. “You see that part there?” He pointed to the rightmost side of the ceiling where land was, with large buildings painted carefully in the distance. “That’s Memoria. And that there,” he pointed to the middle of the painting where ships were crossing a wide sea. “That’s the lords and ladies coming here. And that last part over there,” he pointed to the leftmost side, where more land was. This land was bare and brown. “that’s Parli.”
The hall contained several large golden bowls that sat on the ground and were used to put fires in when night came. During the day, light came from high windows all around the walls. Three hallways extended from each side of the entryway. The small group headed for the one straight ahead. They left the main hall and entered a small corridor that stretched down to another large room. The corridor had a red carpet and pictures on each side of past kings and queens of Parli. At the end of the hallway were four pictures that were different than the others. While most of the pictures contained people that were older and more regal, these four had young people wearing strange robes.
“Who are these people?” Ludus asked. He was the first one who saw them, as he walked ahead.
Mitchum stopped and nodded at the pictures. “These are the founders of Parli. They’re younger than the others because they were said to be rather vain, and did not want people to remember them as old men and women, but as young ones.”
“Why yellow? And wait, there’s only four. Where’s the fifth?”
“Yellow is the color of Memoria. These portraits were made before they left for Parli. And can you really not guess why there are only four?”
Mith thought a moment, but before she could speak Ludus blurted out the answer. “Ijnus is missing. There’s a space there, that’s probably where he was.”
Mitchum nodded and continued into the next room. This room was an exact image of the main hall, only on a smaller scale. On the ceiling was a mural in which no one needed an explanation to. It was Parli, split into the five regions. The Rough Region was not yet rough, but still the Valley-Marsh Region. It really was cut straight down the middle. One half was a valley while the other a marsh.
“You were right Mitchum, it is strange that nobody noticed the division in the Valley-Marsh Region and thought it was strange.” Mith told Mitchum as she stared at the ceiling.
“I don’t know if it was exactly a surprise that Ijnus turned bad. They probably knew that he was not exactly the greatest of people from the start. But you know what? Sometimes we believe what we want to about people we want to like, even if it’s not true.” Mitchum said. He was in a completely different state of mind now that he was back in the palace. He wondered how he ever could have left, and how he ever could have wanted to write a pamphlet on Rerum. Wisdom was plentiful in the palace, just being there made people think and act more sophisticated. At least that’s what Mitchum thought.
Wooden doors were open at the end of the corridor. Beyond the doors was an even smaller, more decorated room. They entered and the mood changed. The stillness was almost elegant. Words left tongues upon entering the throne chamber. The floor and part of the walls were completely covered with a maroon carpet. This was the only room in the palace that did not have marble in it at all. Two golden thrones sat atop a small stage at the far end. Guards lined the walls, all wearing a look of solemn importance. Mith recognized many of the faces. Her eyes focused then on a man sitting in the chair to the left and a woman on the chair to the right. She was surprised at the age of the king and queen. They were no older than most of the guards. There was kindness on their faces and robes on their bodies. They both wore maroon robes, with a stripe of yellow on one sleeve. Nothing adorned their heads, save for their hair. Both the king and queen had dark brown hair.
The royalty stood as the three entered. A doorman came and escorted them up to the thrones. He walked stiffly in the presence of the monarchs. He then walked back to the door after leading them up to the edge of the stage, ten feet from the thrones. The king looked down at them and nodded, Mith and Ludus nodded back.
“Welcome to the Parli Palace. I am King Lwid the fifth.” The king had a small rough beard.
“And I am Queen Altis the seventh.” The queen said, nodding to Mith and Ludus. “It is very nice to meet you two. If only there were better circumstances. I am very sorry to hear of your home.”
Despite Mitchum coming in directly behind Mith and Ludus, the king noticed him for the first time. “Uncle Gai, so nice to see you again. We are sorry for you as well, you practically raised me and then I go and fire you. Please accept my condolences, as you know safety is our first priority”
Mitchum nodded in response. Mith and Ludus exchanged surprised looks.
“Grand,” the king continued, “we have been informed of all theories as to why the roses might have disappeared. And as you already are aware of we have summoned the backup militia to help. They are to leave first thing in the morning to search the jail out in the bay. As for you three, the finest of quarters are being prepared, but first, we drink.”
The king took the queens hand and started back toward the wall. They paused as guards stepped aside, revealing a passageway into yet another room. The doorman jogged up to escort the travelers into the room after the monarchs. He was now allowed to jog as the monarchs were no longer present in the same room.
They entered the passa
ge behind the doorman and came to the dining area. Compared to the rest of the palace this room was very modest. A small wooden table stood in the center of the room, draped on it was a purple embroidered tablecloth. Plates and cutlery were already on the table. Five finely crafted chairs were placed all around it. The walls were stone, as the throne room walls were. Another passageway was covered by translucent drapes on the right wall. Past this was the kitchen. The king took a seat at the end of the table while the queen sat on the right side, her back to the kitchen.
“Please sit.” The queen motioned to the remaining chairs.
“Yes, please do, and who would like tea?” said the king as he picked up a large tea kettle with a small towel. Steam billowed from the spout.
The guests nodded and took their seats. Mitchum sat on the left side of the table while Mith and Ludus took seats on the opposite end from the king. They each asked politely for tea. King Lwid delicately poured out five cups of tea and handed them around. Mith carefully accepted the tea and examined the cup. It was small with small yellow flowers painted all around it. She tried the tea but it was much too hot. She tried to place it down but noticed there was nothing to put it on besides the tablecloth. Afraid someone would get mad, Mith held the hot cup hoping somebody would put theirs down first so she could see if it was alright to put it directly on the tablecloth. No one put their cups down; they all held them and drank slowly. The heat was becoming unbearable so she put the cup down and placed her hands in front of it, hoping nobody would notice. Only a second later the queen handed around napkins to place the cups on. A bit late for that, Mith thought as she hurriedly picked up her cup again. A small tea stain was visible under where the cup had just been. Mith did not know what to do; she was almost certain that she had not spilled any. She put the napkin over it and placed the tea on the napkin. She hoped nobody would notice the stain.
“Now tell us young ones, what is your story?” King Lwid asked, leaning forward to hear.
Mith and Ludus nervously retold what had happened over the last few days, assisted by Mitchum. The monarchs awed and gasped at all the right places, making Mith and Ludus even more nervous. When they got to the part where they met Mitchum the king interrupted them.
“Now what in Parli were you doing in the Rough Region Gai?”
Mitchum looked anxiously around to Mith and Ludus, not wanting to tell too much of his past around them. But since the king did ask he had to answer. “My home life was a mess when I left, sire. I did not want to enter that world again.”
The queen looked to Mitchum in wonder. “But what world is better than the one that dwells our family?”
“My queen, different families are from different worlds. The one my family lives is not the natural one. It was my personal decision not to return.”
The queen pressed on, “Our families are still our families, and events in the past are often forgotten through the pain of loved ones dismissing themselves.”
Mitchum had to take a second to decipher what queen Altis said. He remembered doing this many times when he was their personal guard. “Yes indeed that is the solid truth, but as I recall my family was not exactly in the mood to forgive my past actions. I have a scar to prove it.”
Mith and Ludus quickly turned to each other and then back to Mitchum, looking for the scar.
“How sad.” The queen said dolefully. “Years absent are a remedy unlike any other. By now your family might just have led to the cutting block all foul memories. While in the barn may remain only memories of your greatness in their eyes.”
Mitchum nodded as a reply, he had only a fuzzy idea as to what she meant and did not want to speak further in case he was wrong.
“Now tell me, young ones, what happened next?” the king asked, trying to change the subject.
The kids continued their story and this time finished the retelling. Some memories brought back many emotions and were then told by Mitchum. He had a strong sense as to when those parts would come and started telling the story right as Mith and Ludus could not. The monarchs continued with their awes and gasps when the story got interesting. Once the story was completed there was a silence. And then the king asked:
“That man in the forest, did he ever tell you his name?”
“No, he just said that he was a gate guard.” Mith told Lwid.
“He’s no guard to this palace.” The queen said, staring absentmindedly at the kettle.
“Either way you are safe now. Three rooms have been made up for you all in the upper levels. You remember the upper levels Mitchum?” King Lwid inquired sarcastically.
Mitchum smiled. “Yes I do, sir.”
The king clapped his hands and the doorman came into the dining area. Quickly Mith drained her tea and rose with the others. They left the king and queen and traveled back through the throne room with the guards, through the smaller hall, and into the bigger room where the two hallways were. They went down the left hallway to a grand staircase at the end. The hallways’ marble ceilings rose twenty feet in the air. The stairs were large and spaced far apart. Ludus felt that he was practically jumping to get to each step.
“What’s on the second floor?” Ludus asked the doorman as they passed the landing to the second floor.
“You will have plenty of time over the next few days to find out for yourselves. The doorman answered.
“Really?” Mith was getting a little excited at the prospect of staying in the magical palace for several days.
“Yes, it will take that long to retrieve the roses and put an end to this silly game.”
Shortly afterward they arrived on the third and final floor of the palace. The doorman led them along various hallways, getting Mith and Ludus completely lost. Large wooden doors were spaced along each wall. Ludus wondered what could possibly be behind so many doors, but decided not to ask. Instead he would see for himself in the morning. At one point they passed a room with doors that were very different than the others. These rose to the ceiling and were plated in gold, just like the doors of the main entrance. Two large bronze cauldrons stood on each side, a large fire crackled in each. The doorman stopped in front of these remarkable doors and turned to his audience.
“Sir,” he was referring to Mitchum, “you may already know what is behind these doors. But as for you two,” he lowered his gaze to Mith and Ludus, “never open these doors. You can explore all other rooms on this and the second floor, but never open these doors. And if for some reason you decide to not listen to my first warning, do not touch anything you see inside. Let me reiterate, do not touch anything you see inside.”
Mith and Ludus nodded. Each secretly planned on making that their first stop while exploring. The doorman continued onward, the rest followed. After several more twists and turns they arrived in a dead end with only four rooms. Three of these were to be their rooms. The doorman opened each door and showed them what was inside. Each of the three rooms was exactly the same. The carpet was a plush red. Drapes half covered a large window on the opposite wall as the door. A large bed sat against one wall, the blankets were a deep maroon.
“These are your bedrooms. The washroom is the other door there.”
“The what?” Mith and Ludus asked at the same time.
The doorman raised his eyebrows, “It is where you bathe, and . . . Mr. Quinn can explain. Good night.” And with that the doorman left.
Mith picked her room as the one they had been shown first. She approached the bed while taking in all the sights of her first bedroom. This sure beats my mat. She slowly put her hands on the bed; as if afraid it would disappear at any moment.
“What do you think?”
She turned and saw Mitchum leaning against the doorway. Beyond him she could see Ludus in the room across the large hall, lying on his bed.
“It’s great; I’ve never seen a bed like this before. It is so much bigger than the ones in Brickem.” Mith sat on the bed and was surprised at how soft it was.
> Mitchum entered the room and sat on the bed beside Mith. “There is so much you can learn here. Make the most of it.”
“I will.”
Ludus came from his room with a huge smile on his face. “What a place this is. Do the guards get a room like this?”
Mitchum laughed. “No they don’t. Theirs is much smaller. The bed is a smaller version of this one though.”
Ludus liked the sound of that. “Nice, I might just have to become a guard.”
“And not join your father as a fisherman?” Mith asked.
“Not that that sounds bad, but fishing is his thing. I’m sure you don’t want to build houses like your dad.”
Mith thought for a second. “That wouldn’t be so bad. But like you said that’s his thing. I’ll find my own.”
“Hey Mitchum,” Ludus turned his attention to Mitchum. “How do you know the king and queen so well? Do all guards know them as you do?”
“No, I was in charge of their lessons for many years before they took the thrones. And then when they became the king and queen they requested that I be their personal guard. That lasted until I was sacked.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Give them so many lessons and then they fire you. You should have taught them that firing friends is not nice.” Ludus joked.
“That time was complicated. Their lives were at stake.”
“Alright, well I think I’m going to hit the m—bed.” He stopped himself right before he said mat. He went back to his own room.
“I think I’ll do the same.” Mith told Mitchum.
Mitchum bid Mith a good nap and went to the last room in that small hallway. It had been a while since he slept on a bed of any kind. He lay down on it and sighed. This sure beats the cart. Mitchum looked out his window from his position on the bed. He could see over the palace walls and into the distance. Past the forest of the Royal Region more trees were visible very far off. At least my family is safe . . . for now.